of Sword and Flame

Chapter 37: Battle of Vanderfeld II

Ren jumped from one roof to another, feet weary from the repetitive motion.

A sudden burst of fire caused him to lean down, picking up even more speed as he stumbled with stubbornness toward the light.

He appeared at the edge of the building, foot planted against the rail, peering down into the town's center. Ice lined the center of the town, shooting so far up that Ren couldn't see down into the town's heart.

But before Ren could even begin to form a plan, flourishing flames crashed against the ice, bringing it down within a second before his very eyes. Ren's head turned, only to be faced with something spectacular. He saw Kyra, hands raised, rings of fire spinning around her. A burst of light appeared around her form, and Eryssa scurried back, very clearly frightened at the action.

Ren felt the wind soaring as an arrow came crashing toward him. He spun out of the way, turning to be met with a Vorinian soldier, accompanied by the one and only King Malum. They were surrounded by kneeling Azuran soldiers.

The king was pointing at Ren, clearly the one to issue the arrow's order. Pierre yelled to Ren. Ren unsheathed his sword.

He hurled himself over the building's edge, charged at the man and was met with a handful of soldiers surrounding the king immediately. Soon, Ren was deep into a battle, blades clashing and blood painting the streets.

Kyra shoved Eryssa back, fingertips twitching. She threw a left hook, not waiting to revel in the sound her fist made against Eryssa's face before throwing another.

Eryssa responded by tossing shards of ice at her. Kyra waved a hand, a large disc-shaped flame swallowing the shards like a portal. Eryssa took in raspy breaths, trying to keep up with Kyra. Kyra's fire seemed to come to her easily, unlike Eryssa's desperate attempts. She threw another hook, connecting with Eryssa's already swollen and bruised cheek.

Eryssa looked surprised. She clutched her cheek where she had been struck, her eyes going wide, lip tightening. Kyra had only ever returned a hit from Eryssa, not initiated a new one. She supposed this was the reason Eryssa looked so appalled.

In her peripheral, Kyra could make out King Malum's form, escorted by two guards, still shouting instructions to a group of men. At the center, side by side with Pierre, a familiar swordsman dodged left and right, dancing around his enemies.

Kyra raised a hand, bringing it down in a slice-like manner. A blazing path of fire shot from her fingertips, chasing along the ground separating the Vorinian guards from Pierre, Ren, and the rest of the group.

Ren looked up to meet Kyra's gaze, and when he did so, a look of utter disbelief spread across his face. He watched as Kyra's eyes and necklace glowed a bright red. Eryssa fumbled back, finally taking off and running toward the king's direction. She met with the king, saying something under her breath. He looked frightened in response.

Kyra spotted a bright glint on the floor not so far off. She took a few striding steps, scraping her daggers off the floor as she continued walking. She spun them out of habit, enjoying the familiar fit of them in her hands. As Kyra burst through the crowd of guards, she found Ren. He turned, emerald eye getting struck by the sun in the process.

"You're glowing!" Ren yelled over the sound of the flames crackling. Kyra flinched. She looked worried at this discovery. But she was cut off by strange sounds in the distance, followed by a thundering beneath their feet.

In the next moment, dozens of riders appeared in the streets, a strange woman at the forefront. She charged at the soldiers scattered across the streets, taking them by surprise. A dozen civilians were running closely behind, carrying a colorful array of weapons.